This week we feature Indiana University head coach Bill Lynch. Like last week’s coach, Illinois’ Ron Zook, there are questions swirling around Lynch regarding his long-term fit as the head coach for the Hoosiers. However, also like Zook, Lynch has the support of his school’s athletic director. While some of the Indiana faithful adamantly demand that Lynch be fired, it seems that the school can afford to be patient. Lacking a strong football tradition to look back upon, IU is a school looking to establish itself in a strong Big Ten conference, so it just remains to be seen whether or not Lynch is the man to make it happen.
Looking at Lynch’s resume, not to mention his appearance, a Buckeye fan could reasonably think of another Big Ten football coach. Previous experience at smaller schools? A prior stint as an assistant at the present school? Focus on a family-like team and quality people? A Senator-ish image, perhaps? Hmmm. Interesting. But before we go too far with the Lynch-is-like-Tressel train of thought, let’s remember that Lynch’s first three years look like this…
7-6 3-9 4-8
…while Tressel’s first three year’s look like this…
7-5 14-0* 11-2
*National Championship
So is Lynch the right man for the job? Considering that his first season was the most successful for a first year coach at IU since 1905, one would think maybe he should be given some time. But some believe that Lynch simply hasn’t brought in the talent necessary to compete in the Big Ten. This is the dilemma faced: How can Lynch take a program without a football tradition (at a basketball school, no less), and turn it into a contender in a powerhouse football conference?
It seems that Lynch’s mindset is “keep battling, keep fighting.” Some fans think this is simply not enough. There is a general sentiment that the approach of scraping away, trying to make incremental improvements with hard work and a positive attitude is not going to take the program to the next level. A true game-changer may be needed, and while Lynch can show a little fire (probably more than we’ve ever seen from our own beloved coach, to be honest), someone who’s going to bring the fire on a consistent basis may be a better fit. Lynch will certainly bring respect to the Indiana program, but not in terms of winning seasons. The Hoosiers would be better served with a coach who would bring both respect and excitement about the direction of the program. That’s the only way they’ll have any hope of being more than just another Iowa.
Lynch’s CV is not without some accomplishments. He played quarterback at Butler, where he set high marks as a passer (Lynch also played basketball at Butler, demonstrating some all-around athletic talent). After finishing college, Lynch went on to be an assistant coach at his alma mater and then Northern Illinois. He then began a trend of bouncing between the same few schools, returning to Butler as head coach before moving on to assistant jobs at Ball State and Indiana, only to return to Ball State as head coach. We know that Lynch has ended up back at Indiana in the lead job, but not before a successful year with DIII Depauw University. One of the more interesting notes from this worldwind tour is that Lynch, while at Northern Illinois, served as an assistant to Lee Corso, who happened to be the former head coach of Indiana. Who’s on first again? Don’t worry about it. Just know that Lynch and Corso both left UNI to coach for a brief period in the United State Football League for the Orlando Renegades. Huh????
The point I’m trying to make is this: Even if Lynch doesn’t work out as the long-term coach at Indiana, he should at least be able to look forward to a lucrative career as a Saturday morning football commentator making ridiculous comments.
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